I have a dream.....

Tharindu De Mel
29th, August, 2012

                                                 I have a dream.... ABBA

 I  have a Dream, a song to sing
To help me cope with anything
If you see the wonder of a fairy tale
You can take the future even if you fail
I believe in Angels
Something good in everything I see
I believe in Angels
When I know the time is right for me
Ill cross the stream, I have a Dream..........

 

Every human being lives because of dreams. Its these dreams which drive you forward. Its dreams which give you a reason to look forward for tomorrow.

 

But these dreams differ from person to person. For some it may be buying a new car, a new house, reaching the pinnacle of academic excellence... etc.. but for others it could be so simple that one would wonder whether it was worth dreaming for.

 

Think of a soldier who has lost his leg to a land mine. What would he dream of? He wont dream of a car, a house or anything fancy. All he would want is to be able to walk, run, jump, hop the way he did as in the past.

 

There is no better satisfaction than helping another human being achieve their dream. "Colombo friend in need" established in 1831 who's main function is manufacturing of artificial limbs for amputees can no doubt be content that it has rendered a yeoman service to mankind in this regard.

 

A prosthesis is an artificial device extension that replaces a missing body part to get normal function and cosmetic appearance. Orthotics is the design and use of an orthopaedic device that supports or corrects the function of a limb or torso.

 

Orthotics are used to,

1. Correct the deformity

2. To prevent further deformity.

3. To control involuntary movement.

4. As a support to body weight.

 

 

Other than manufacturing artificial limbs to amputees it provides the following services.

 

1. Transient hostel facilities

     Particularly for who come from rural areas, food and   accomadation is provided free of charge till they are fitted with artificial limbs.

2. Mobile workshop.

     A bus which has been turned into a mobile workshop travels to all parts of the island to fit artificial limbs to amputees who are unable to come to Colombo.

3. Physiotherapy, exercise and gait training for clients so that they can lead a normal life.

4. Education grants to disabled elders and a pension scheme for disabled elders.

5. Organizing a sportsmeet for artificial limb users at the end of the year.

 

 While Mr. Nepala, the Asst. Workshop Manager was briefing us on how these artificial limbs were made, we met a 60 year old man who had come all the way from Naththandiya. He was getting used to walk in his new transfemoral prosthesis. Though I felt sorry for him when I saw him, his happy and cheerful smile baffled me. "What is he so happy about?" i thought.





Then I realized. All of us have dreams. For some of us those dreams are so complex that they can never be achieved. But for this poor man, his simple dream of walking just as he did before his leg was amputated has just been fulfilled. Tears filled my eyes to see him walk around just like a kid would when making his first steps. Colombo friend-in-need has just helped another innocent human being achieve his dream.